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A study analyzing the growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria on freshly cut spinach after the application of chemicals like citric acid and ascorbic acid is presented. The effect of the type of packaging film used on the growth of the bacterial population is analyzed.

The loss of pigment in spinach leaves is greater if they are stored in the presence of light. The pigment violaxanthin is less stable than leutin. Storage in the dark does not cause the loss of any pigment except all of the trans-beta-carotenes. There is an equilibrium between the three sterioismeric forms of beta-carotenes. In carrots none of the pigments are affected by light or dark storage. In both spinach and carrots the 9-cis form of beta-carotene is more than that of 13-cis beta-carotene.

The analysis of 100 bagged lettuce and spinach samples have indicated mean total bacterial counts of 7.0 [log.sub.10] CFU/g and a broad range of =11,000/g coliforms are found in 55 samples and generic Escherichia coli bacteria is detected in 16 samples, but no Escherichia coli count has exceeded 10 MPN/g.